Bin charge hikes postponed as 12-month price freeze is agreed

Private waste companies have agreed to a 12-month freeze on current bin charge rates.

The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) has approved a proposal to postpone planned hikes in fees that were due to come into effect next month.

The move means that households disposing the same quantities of waste will not face any additional costs during the first year of the new pay-by-weight system.

Under the agreement, existing charges will be frozen from June 20th, 2016, to July 1st, 2017.

The IWMA said in a statement that waste companies will provide a cost comparison during this period to customers showing the amount of waste they are disposing, their current costs and the equivalent pay-by-weight costs.

The group said this morning that its member companies "remain committed to supporting government policy in the introduction of pay-by-weight eight waste collection services".

"Responsible waste operators have made the necessary investment to meet their obligations under the government-introduced regulations and the industry will continue to work with government to ensure its successful introduction," it said.

Minister Coveney is expected to announce details of the agreement at 4pm today.